Sieve Analysis

Soil Classification
Sieve Analysis, Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit
B. Munwar Basha
If I give you a bag of 1-Kg soil taken from an under construction site and ask you the following questions.
1. What is the most basic classification of soil? 2. What are the methods of soil gradation or grain size distribution?
3. How do you define the soil types? Clay, Silt, Sand, Gravel or cobble and boulder
4. Calculate D10, D30 and D60 of this soil using the sieve analysis?
5. Calculate both the Cu and CC of this soil?

6. Is this soil poorly, gap or well graded, Liquid limit and Plastic limit? How do you define theses terms?
You will learn in todays practical class

Answer all the above questions in your first report.
2
Purpose: This test is performed to determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained within a soil. The mechanical or sieve analysis is performed to determine the distribution of the coarser, larger-sized particles, and the hydrometer method is used to determine the distribution of the finer particles. Significance:
The distribution of different grain sizes affects the engineering properties of soil.
Grain size analysis provides the grain size distribution, and it is required in classifying the soil.
3
Major Soil Groups
Cohesive soils
Clay Silt
0.002
Granular soils or Cohesionless soils

Sand
0.075 4.75
Gravel
Cobble
Boulder
Grain size (mm)
Fine grain soils
Coarse grain soils

4
Grain Size Distribution

Significance of GSD: To know the relative proportions of different grain sizes.
An important factor influencing the geotechnical characteristics of a coarse grain soil. Not important in fine grain soils.
5
Grain Size Distribution

Determination of GSD: In coarse grain soils ... By sieve analysis In fine grain soils ... By hydrometer analysis
hydrometer stack of sieves
sieve shaker
soil/water suspension
Sieve Analysis
Hydrometer Analysis
Sieve Analyses
Sieve Analysis
Sieve Designation - Large
Sieves larger than the #4 sieve are designated by the size of the openings in the sieve
Sieve Designation - Smaller
Smaller sieves are numbered according to the number of openings per inch
1inch
10 openings per inch
# 10 sieve
10
Sieving procedure
(1) Write down the weight of each sieve as well as the bottom pan to be used in the analysis.
(2) Record the weight of the given dry soil sample.
(3) Make sure that all the sieves are clean, and assemble them in the ascending order of sieve numbers (#4 sieve at top and #200 sieve at bottom). Place the pan below #200 sieve. Carefully pour the soil sample into the top sieve and place the cap over it. (4) Place the sieve stack in the mechanical shaker and shake for 10 minutes.
(5) Remove the stack from the shaker and carefully weigh and record the weight of each sieve with its retained soil. In addition, remember to weigh and record the weight of the bottom pan with its retained fine soil. 11
12
13
Data Analysis:
(1) Obtain the mass of soil retained on each sieve by subtracting the weight of the empty sieve from the mass of the sieve + retained soil, and record this mass as the weight retained on the data sheet. The sum of these retained masses should be approximately equals the initial mass of the soil sample. A loss of more than two percent is unsatisfactory. (2) Calculate the percent retained on each sieve by dividing the weight retained on each sieve by the original sample mass.
(3) Calculate the percent passing (or percent finer) by starting with 100 percent and subtracting the percent retained on each sieve as a cumulative procedure.
14
15
16
For example: Total mass = 500 g,

Mass retained on No. 4 sieve = 9.7 g For the No.4 sieve: Quantity passing = Total mass - Mass retained = 500 - 9.7 = 490.3 g
The percent retained is calculated as;

% retained = Mass retained/Total mass = (9.7/500) X 100 = 1.9 % From this, the % passing = 100 - 1.9 = 98.1 %
17
Grain size distribution

100 80
% Finer
60 40 20 0 0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
10
100
18
Particle size (mm)
Unified Soil Classification

Each soil is given a 2 letter classification (e.g. SW). The following procedure is used.
Coarse grained (>50% larger than 75 mm)
Prefix S if > 50% of coarse is Sand Prefix G if > 50% of coarse is Gravel Suffix depends on %fines
if %fines < 5% suffix is either W or P if %fines > 12% suffix is either M or C if 5% < %fines < 12% Dual symbols are used
19
Unified Soil Classification

To determine W or P, calculate Cu and Cc
Cu D60 D10
2 D30 Cc ( D60 D10 )
x% of the soil has particles smaller than Dx
100 80
% Finer
60 40 20 0 0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
10
100
Particle size (mm)

20
Grading curves
100 80
% Finer
60 40 20 0 0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
10
100
Particle size (mm)

W Well graded
21
Grading curves
100 80
% Finer
60 40 20 0 0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
10
100
Particle size (mm)

W U Well graded Uniform
22
Grading curves
100 80
% Finer
60 40 20 0 0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
10
100
Particle size (mm)

W U P Well graded Uniform Poorly graded
23
Grading curves
100 80
% Finer
60 40 20 0 0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
10
100
Particle size (mm)

W U P C Well graded Uniform Poorly graded Well graded with some clay
24
Grading curves
100 80
% Finer
60 40 20 0 0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
10
100
Particle size (mm)

W U P C F Well graded Uniform Poorly graded Well graded with some clay Well graded with an excess of fines
25
100
80 hydrometer
% Passing
sieve
60 fines 40 sands gravels
20
D 30
D10 = 0.013 mm D30 = 0.47 mm D60 = 7.4 mm

10 100
0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1
Grain size (mm)
Grain Size Distribution Curve
can find % of gravels, sands, fines

define D10, D30, D60.. as above.
To determine W or P, calculate Cu and Cc

Cu D60 D10
2 D30 Cc ( D60 D10 )
x% of the soil has particles smaller than Dx
100 80
% Finer
60 40 20 0 0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
10
100
Particle size (mm)
D90 = 3 mm
27
Well or Poorly Graded Soils

Well Graded Soils
Wide range of grain sizes present Poorly Graded Soils Others, including two special cases:
(a) Uniform soils grains of same size Gravels: Cc = 1-3 & Cu >4 Sands: Cc = 1-3 & Cu >6 (b) Gap graded soils no grains in a specific size range
28
Atterberg Limits
Border line water contents, separating the different states of a fine grained soil
water content
Shrinkage limit
Plastic limit
Liquid limit
brittlesolid
semisolid
plastic
liquid
29
Purpose: This lab is performed to determine the plastic and liquid limits of a fine grained soil. The Atterberg limits are based on the moisture content of the soil. The plastic limit: is the moisture content that defines where the soil changes from a semi-solid to a plastic (flexible) state. The liquid limit: is the moisture content that defines where the soil changes from a plastic to a viscous fluid state.
30
31
Liquid Limit Definition

The water content at which a soil changes from a plastic consistency to a liquid consistency
Defined by Laboratory Test concept developed by Atterberg in 1911.
32
Defined by Laboratory Test concept developed by Atterberg in 1911.
The liquid limit (LL) is arbitrarily defined as the water content, in percent, at which a pat of soil in a standard cup and cut by a groove of standard dimensions will flow together at the base of the groove for a distance of 12 mm under the impact of 25 blows in the devise. The cup being dropped 10 mm in a standard liquid limit apparatus operated at a rate of two shocks per second.
33
Atterberg Limits
Liquid Limit (wL or LL):
Clay flows like liquid when w > LL
Plastic Limit (wP or PL):

Lowest water content where the clay is still plastic Shrinkage Limit (wS or SL): At w<SL, no volume reduction on drying
34
LL Test Procedure
Prepare paste of soil finer than 425 micron sieve Place Soil in Cup
35
LL Test Procedure
Cut groove in soil paste with standard grooving tool
36
LL Test Procedure
Rotate cam and count number of blows of cup required to close groove by 1/2
37
38
39
LL Test Procedure
Perform on 3 to 4 specimens that bracket 25 blows to close groove Obtain water content for each test
Plot water content versus number of blows on

semi-log paper
40
LL Test Results
Interpolate LL water content at 25 blows
Log N 25
water content, %
LL= w%
41
LL Values < 16 % not realistic
PI, %
16
Liquid Limit, %
42
LL Values > 50 - HIGH
PI, %
Liquid Limit, %
50
43
LL Values < 50 - LOW
PI, %
Liquid Limit, %
50
44
Plastic Limit
The minimum water content at which a soil will just begin to crumble when it is rolled into a thread of approximately 3 mm in diameter.
45
Plastic Limit w% procedure

Using paste from LL test, begin drying May add dry soil or spread on plate and air-dry
46
Plastic Limit w% procedure

When point is reached where thread is cracking and cannot be re-rolled to 3 mm diameter, collect at least 6 grams and measure water content. Defined plastic limit
47
48
1. Calculate the water content of each of the plastic limit moisture cans after they have been in the oven for at least 16 hours. 2. Compute the average of the water contents to determine the plastic limit, PL.
49
Definition of Plasticity Index

Plasticity Index is the numerical difference between the Liquid Limit w% and the Plastic Limit w%
Plasticity Index = Liquid Limit Plastic Limit

w%
PL
LL
PI = LL - PL
plastic (remoldable)
50
Plasticity Chart
Low plasticity Intermediate plasticity High plasticity Very high plasticity Extremely high plasticity
wL = < 35% wL = 35 - 50% wL = 50 - 70% wL = 70 - 90% wL = > 90%

51

Sieve Analysis

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sieve Analysis

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sieve Analysis

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Soil Classification

Sieve Analysis, Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit

5. Calculate both the Cu and CC of this soil?

You will learn in todays practical class

Major Soil Groups

Granular soils or Cohesionless soils

Grain size (mm)

Fine grain soils

Coarse grain soils

Grain Size Distribution

Grain Size Distribution

Sieve Designation - Large

Sieve Designation - Smaller

10 openings per inch

For example: Total mass = 500 g,

The percent retained is calculated as;

Grain size distribution

Particle size (mm)

Unified Soil Classification

Unified Soil Classification

2 D30 Cc ( D60 D10 )

x% of the soil has particles smaller than Dx

Particle size (mm)

Particle size (mm)

Particle size (mm)

Particle size (mm)

Particle size (mm)

Particle size (mm)

60 fines 40 sands gravels

D10 = 0.013 mm D30 = 0.47 mm D60 = 7.4 mm

Grain size (mm)

Grain Size Distribution Curve

can find % of gravels, sands, fines

To determine W or P, calculate Cu and Cc

2 D30 Cc ( D60 D10 )

x% of the soil has particles smaller than Dx

Particle size (mm)

Well or Poorly Graded Soils

Liquid Limit Definition

Defined by Laboratory Test concept developed by Atterberg in 1911.

Defined by Laboratory Test concept developed by Atterberg in 1911.

Plastic Limit (wP or PL):

Plot water content versus number of blows on

LL Values < 16 % not realistic

LL Values > 50 - HIGH

LL Values < 50 - LOW

Plastic Limit w% procedure

Plastic Limit w% procedure

Definition of Plasticity Index

Plasticity Index = Liquid Limit Plastic Limit

wL = < 35% wL = 35 - 50% wL = 50 - 70% wL = 70 - 90% wL = > 90%

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.